Drive Belt: Adjustments

ADJUSTING/REPLACING V-BELTS:

V-Belt Cross Section:

- To reduce the chance of V-belt failure while driving, replacement of the belts every four years is recommended. Loosen the mounting bolts and adjust until the belt tension is very loose, then remove the belt by slipping it over the pulleys. In some cases it may be necessary to remove one V-belt to replace another. Cross section and length determine belt size. Use the old belt for comparison, or make sure that the new belt fits into the pulley groove as shown.
- With the belt off, clean the pulleys using a suitable solvent. Inspect the pulleys for wear or damage which may cause early failure of the new belt. This is also a good opportunity to inspect the belt-driven accessory, checking for bearing wear and excess play, for example. When installing the new belt, gently pry it over the pulleys. Too much force may damage the belt. Tension the belt(s), run the engine for a few minutes (at least 1500 rpm), then recheck the belt tension.
- The power steering pump and air conditioning compressor V-belts are each adjusted using a tensioning bolt that is part of each of the component mounting brackets. To adjust the tension, loosen the mountings and turn the tensioning bolt, clockwise to tighten the belt or counterclockwise to loosen it.